Lossy

On my Dew deluxe, a cable guide has worn a hole in the paint. I put packing tape over it, but that wears very fast.

What do you bicyclists do to protect from this? It is on what I believe is called the head tube.

rea1high

helipcopter tape!

best to put it on before you make a mess of your paintwork. but otherwise just treat the exposed metal and then slap some helicopter tape on it.

GCRyder

I assume you're referring to cable housing rubbing the head tube. One solution I'm using is to install the cables so the cable from the right side of the bars goes around the front of the head tube and into the cable stop on the left. The cable from the left goes around the front and into the stop on the right. Then the bare cables cross in the middle of the downtube on the way to the guide on the bottom bracket. This routing not only keeps the housings from grinding on the headtube, but it also produces smoother curves in the cable housing, substantially reducing the amount of effort required to move my shift levers.

rea1high

i'll bet 50p that the scatches are on the right side of the head tube

Lossy

If you are looking at it straight on it is on the right. If on the bike it is on the left.

Old Hammer Boy

Around these parts we have outfits that install a durable layer of plastic film to put on the front areas of vehicles, knowns as "clear bra." This film is to help minimize rock chips, etc. I went down to the local clear bra store and they gave me all sorts of trim pieces and even told me how to apply it using soapy water so it can be perfectly slid into position. On all of my bikes I've installed this material wherever things might rub together. It's a great material, nearly ivisable, and totally free. It can be removed by using a hair dryer set to the hot position. There are also other products out there, but this stuff is great (and for me, free). Check it out!

rea1high

"but this stuff is great (and for me, free). "

and for all your good buddies on bikeforums.net



"If you are looking at it straight on it is on the right. If on the bike it is on the left.

i could lie a say yep, that's the side i meant.

but it wasn't!

the 50p's in the post

leob1

I'll bite, WTF is "helicopter tape"?

rea1high

oops sorry, it's the tape they put on the leading edges of helicopter rotor blades.
it's not the cheapest of tapes at £20 but you get more than enough to two bikes easily.

i'm guessing you're in the states. i looked on google and found that you can get it here in the US.

i'm not sure if this is the same stuff that i have. aparently 3M make it, so give 'em a call.

https://www.spectorracing.com/customer/home.php?cat=67

freeranger

One thing you could do is go to a craft strore, or a hardware store might even have this: self-stick velcro in a color that is close to your paint. Use the "fuzzy" part and stick it on where the cable rubs.

rea1high

another good idea!

i'm sticking with my 'copter tape though.

Garfield Cat

Helicopter tape is the name used by the mechanics at airports. If you are near a small airport, you can get it there. It comes in rolled sheets. Its very thick and I understand the auto track race mechanics use it to protect their expensive car paint job from chipping from road grime.

This tape won't yellow over time and when applied, it can be removed without ruining the paint job. But maybe an added thing you can do is to do what Felt does. They put a rubber sleeve on the cable right where it hits the head tube. Supposedly the rubber sleeve won't mar the paint.

BrianJ1888

but the rubber sleeve picks up grit that WILL mar the paint. the whole point is to have a "sacrificial layer" that will wear rather than the paint itself.

you can buy the 3m ClearBra stuff in bulk, but it's a little bit of a pain to install (goes on like window tint). the tape route is probably easiest.

Old Hammer Boy

It actually goes on quite easily. The trick is to put one drop of dishwashing soap in 8 oz. of water in one of those pump spray bottles. After cleaning up the area on your bike with some alcohol, spray the soap solution where you want to apply the clear film material. I also spray the sticky side of the clear film. It will slide around just fine. Once you get it into position, gently wipe it down with a soft towel, wiping any bubbles or creases out, and let it dry. That's all there is to it. I also like to use it where our bikes rest on the transporting rack.